Game apparatus



May 15, 1928. 1,669,822

T. D. GREGG GAME APPARATUS Filed March 14, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hi: ATTORNEY5 a May 15, 1928.

T. D. GREGG GAME APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March '14, 1927 I lNVENTDR BY Pun. IDLU /W I I HIS ATTORNEYS Patented May 15, 1928.

UNITED STATES tseaszz TBESHAM D. GREGG, or rna nmnnn, NEW JERSEY.

GAME APPARATUS.

Application filed March 14, 1927.

This invention relates to apparatus for use in the playing of games, and more particularly concerns apparatus for use in games of the type in which the rebound of one or more rolling balls from a suitable surface is employed;

One well known and highly interesting type of game which has gained a high de gree of popularity; employs a board or table having a smooth, level surface surrounded by cushions or other suitable means the game being played by striking balls .with cues or other similar instruments in such a manner that the balls rebound from the cushions and strike each other or drop into suitable pockets or openings through the cushions. Such games, commonly known as billiards or pool, are played upon tables or boardsof rectangular shape having straight cushions with or without pockets-therein. It is an object of th'epresent invention to provide apparatus for playing games of this general type employing cushions which are curved. preferably in the form of a circle. Vith this arrangement, the manner in which the balls rebound from the cushions is quite different from the rebound obtained where straight cushions are en'iployed, and many highly interesting and novel games may be developed by the use of such curved cushions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a game board ofthe type described embodying means whereby the cushlons may be readily and quickly changed. from the curved or circular type described to the straight or rectangular type, thus producing a device which is adaptable to a wide variety of games. I

The game apparatus of the present invention may be constructed in the form of a permanent table, or it may be designed for use in homes or other places in which alimited space is available and in which'it is necessary or desirable to remove the game apparatus when not in use. so that, the space occupied thereby may be used for other purposes. In the present embodiment of the invention, the game apparatus is shown in the form of a game board of collapsible construction which may be placed on a table or other available fiat surface when in use, and may be folded up to a compact and convenient size and stored in a con'iparatively small space when not in use.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a game board having compartn'ients Serial No. 175,046.

therein in which the balls used in playing the game may be conveniently carried when the board is folded up.

It is a still further object of this inven tion to provide lines, marks or other. indicia on the surface of the game board which may be employed to assist the player in ascertaining the manner in which a ball willrebound if struck against a cushion in a particular manner.

It'is a still further object ofthe present lnvention to provide a game apparatus of the type described which is of light and strong construction, which may beeasily and inexpensively manufactured and which occupies a minimum amount of space when not in use. i

Other specific objects, advantages and characteristic features of the game apparatus comprising the present invention will be pointed out or will become apparent as the description thereof progresses.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the game apparatus of the present invention in its extended or open condition, the straight cushion inserts being removed to simplify the disclosure i I Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the gameboard taken along the line 22 of Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the game board in its folded orcollapsible condition;

Fig. 4 is a plan iew of the lower face ofone corner of theifime board;

. Fig. 5 is'a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, and viewed in the direction of the-arrows;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the game board with the movable straight cushion inserts in position for use;

Fig. 7 a partial plan view of the board, showing one of the straight cushion inserts swung back to expose the arcuate or curved cushion: i

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of one corner of the board showing the means for tightening the cloth thereon when in use Fig. 9 is a plan view of a portion of the board when folded up;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

11 is a sectional view taken along the line 1111'of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 12 is a side view of the edge of the board at the corner thereof shown in Fig. 8.

leferring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the embodiment of the game apparatus shown comprises in general four com 'iaratively thin strips 1, 2. 1 and l, fastened together at their ends and shaped to form a rectangular frame having a circular central opening, this opening being covered by a circular piece of cloth or other suitable material 5 which is secured to the lower surface of the strips and is firmly stretched therebetween.

Each of the strips 1, :2. 3 and l is cut at. both ends at an angle of substantially 45 to its outside edge as shown, and the strips 1 and 2 are connected by a hinge 6 of a :-tlil!ll)lt type. secured on the upper surfaces of these strips by suitable means such as screws or bolts. The strips 3 and l are connceted by a similar hinge T secured to the upper surfaces thereof. while the strips :2 and 3 are connected by a hinge 8 secured to the lover or bottom surfaces thereof. The strips 1 and 1 are preferably connected by a releasable fastening means of any suitable or vell known type. In the embodiment shown, this fastening means takes the form of a book 9, pivotally secured to the strip 4- by the screw 10 and engaging a screw or pin 11 fixed to the strip 1. The book 9 and its associated screw and pin are preferably located in cooperating depres- .-ions in the strips 1 and 1: as shown in Fig. in order that these parts will not come into contact with the table or other support upon which the game board rests, and the hinges (3, i' and 8 may be siniilarly countersunk in the strips if desired. The strips 1, 2. 3 and *1 may be constructed of any suit ahle material but are preferably formed of wood.

From the description given, it will be apparent that the strips forming the frame of the game board may he iifolded up to substantially the size of one of these strips. To accomplish this. the strips 1 and 4. are first. lifted and folded over about the axis of the hinges t3 and 7 until they coincide with the strips 2 and 3 respectively. The hook it is then released from the pin 11, and the two pairs of strips 1-2 and 2l--f are folded togcthe' about the axis of the hinge S, the bottom faces of the strips 3 and 3 coming into contact with each other.

The inner corners of each of the strips 1. L. 3 and 1 are cut away at 12 to form a rounded notch therein. these notches cooperating to form curved pockets P, P,, l and P when the board is open for use as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. The openings of the pockets are slightly larger than the diameter of the balls to he used in playing the game, whereas the diameter of the pockets is conside ably larger than the diameter of these balls. In this manner, a ball played into a pocket is usually retained therein by the narrow opening of the pocket. If desired. suitable dead cushions, such as pads formed of cloth or other material filled with sand may be attached to the \alls of the pockets to deaden the rebound of the balls therein. Each of the strips 1, 3 and t is provided with a cushion C on the inner areuate edge thereof. These cushions extend the entire distance between the edges of adjacent pockets 1 and may be constructed of any suitable materials or in any suitable form. As shown, the cushions comprise a substantially triangular rubber strip ti covered with a suitable material The cushions U are such as felt cloth 1-1.

arranged to present a slightly curved or riunded edge 15 a a distance above the playing surface of the cloth 5 slightly greater than the radius. but less than the diameter of the balls used in playing the game. Although one specific form of cushion been shown, it should be clearly un- (lei-stood that" any other suitable type of cushion might be employed.

The cloth 5. forming the playing surface of the board is cut in substantially circular form as shown in Fig. 1, and is tacked, glued or otherwise suitably secured to the.

lower surfaces of the strips 1, 2. 3 and =1. is fastened to the strips 2 and 3 The cloth a up to their meeting edges behind the pool:- et 1 but at the diagonally opposite pockets 1 and 1 the cloth is left free from the strips between the diagonal lines 16 and 17. At the pocket 1-, the cloth 5 is left free from the strips 1 and l for a greater distance than at the pockets P, and P the cloth being fastened to the strips up to points represented by the lines 18 and 1.). ith this method of fastening. the cloth 5 is not: unduly stretched or deformed when the game board is folded up. 'hen the strips are folded along the hinges ti and 7, the cloth at the pockets P, and 1, falls into these pockets and so is relieved of any tension. and when the strips are folded about the axis of the hinge 8. the cloth at the pocket i drops part l into this pocket and partly into the central opening of the board. The loth 3 is preferal'dr provided with a spot il at the renter of the circular opening of th board. and i further lllitllittl with a plurality of suitably spared r m'elltiie rirclcs Z1. -ln addition. a plurality of marker spots 2:. are provided near the cushion (l at point equally spaced around the circumference of the central o 'iening. 'lhese marker spots 22 are preferably spaced a radial distance from the cushions (I substantially equal to the radius of the balls used. The spots 20 and and the circles 21 may be printed, painted or in any other manner formed on the cloth 'lhest, k on messe the cloth 5 aid the'players in predetermining the behavior of balls struck in a. given manner as hereinafter described.

In order to maintain the playing surface smooth and tight when the boardis in use,

elastic stretching means are provided at the pockets P, P and P In the embodiment shown, a loop of elastic material 2 such as rubber or elastic tape is suitably secured to the edge of the cloth 5a; the points 24: and 2-5, adjacenteach side of. each of the pockets l", P, and P as shown in Figs. 1, l, 8 and i2. Grooves 26 and 27 are provided in the edge faces of the frame strips at the corner-9 thereof, those grooves coinciding at the meeting points of the strips and forming continuous channels in which-the loops '23 may be retained as clearly shown in Fig.

The length of the loops 23 is so arranged that they are stretched. and cause a slight pull on the cloth 5 when these loops are placed within, the grooveand 27. The loops 23 and the grooves '26 and 27 are so arranged that the pull exerted on the cloth 5 is substantially radial with respect to thecenter of the cloth, and in this manner the cloth is maintained taut and smooth. No loop is provided at the pocket P as the cloth is secured to the strips 2 and 3 continuously behind this pocket. When the board is folded up, the loops 23 are released from the grooves 26 and 27.

As explained above, it s meljiines desired to play a game employing straight cushions between the pockets. In order that the game board of the present invention may be adaptable for use with either straight or curved cushions, four insert strips, 29, 30, 3'1 and having straight inner edges are hinged to the strips 1, 2, 3. and 4; respec tively. These insert strips are removed in Fig. l, in order to simplify the disclosure of that figure, but are shown in place in Fig. 6, and in Fig. 7 one ofthese strips is shown folded back to permit the use of the curved or arcuate cushions C. Each insert strip is fastenedto the corresponding frame strip by means of two hinges 33 and 23% secured by suitable means to the upper su ftICB-l of the strips as shown in Fig. (3,

these hinges iiei'i'nitting the insert strips to be folded back away from the playing surface to permit the use of the curved cushions C on the strips 1. and l, as shown in Fig. 7. The insert strips are proyided with suitable cushions C on the straight edges thereol, these cushions being suitably tapered at the ends of the strips so that they extend to the edges of the pockets P. The insert strips 29,. 30, 31 and 32 are preferably cut away between the hingesSS and 34: as shown at 38 to lighten, these parts and also in order that the insertstrips will not lie over or near to the curved cushions C when folded. back as shown in 7', and so intel-fore with the playing on the curved cushions. l Vhenthe game board is to be folded up, the insertstrips are folded down within the central circular opening of the board, and thus do not in any way interfere with the folding of the frame strips as described above.

The game board of the present invention is provided with convenient means for carrying the balls used in playing thereon. The frame strips 1, 2, 3 and 4; are provided with a plurality of substantially semi-spherical depressions 35 in the upper surfaces thereof adjacent thepockets, as clearly shown in Figs, 1, 6, 9 and 10. These depressions are symmetrically arranged with respect to the axes of the hinges ti and 7 so that the. depressions 35 in the strips 1 and i cooperate with the depressions in the strips and 3 respectively to form spherical cavities or compartments when the strips are folded together as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. When the game board is to be folded and put away, the balls used in playing thereon are placed in the depressions 35 inthe strips 2 and 8, and the strips 1 and l are folded over on top of the strips 2 and 3 as described above, the depressions in the strips 1 aud t engaging the balls and so retaining them between the strips 12 and %3 respectively. In this manner, the balls are conveniently packed away and are always at hand when the board is opened up for use. The number of depressions provided may be varied in accordance with the number of balls to be used in playing the game. The cues used in striking the balls may be placed within the central opening of the board when it is folded up and are retained therein by the cloth Gainesof the typeplayed on the board of the present invention are often scored by in runs of counters of the type in which perforated discs or buttons are slidalong arod or wire. In the game board of the present invention. a plurality of these counters B are located in depressions or channels 36 cut in the upper surfaces of the frame strips 1., 2, 3 and d as clearly shown in Figs 1, 6 and 11. The counters may take any suitable form, but preferably comprise two or more parallel wires or rods 37, each carrying a plurality of perforated s 39 thereon. The discs 39 on one of the rods37 of each counter B may be employed to represent a larger number of score units than those on the other rod. For example, the discs on one rod may each represent one point whereas the discs on the other rod of the same counter may represent ten points of the score. The discs of the counters B are preferably colored to correspond with the color of one of the bn-lls used, so that each player may readily identif his counter by the color of the ball he is using. The number of counters may, of course, vary lrom that shown in the disclosed embodiment of the invention.

If desired. pocket tillers of any well known or suitable type may be provided to till the pockets P and so provide a game board having continuous unbroken cushions. Such pocket tillers are preferably formed to have a push tit in the pockets P and carry a section of cushion at one edge thereof to bridge the space between the cushions on either side of the. pockets. Two of these pocket tillers F have been shown in place on the pockets 1 and P in Fig. 7. it being understood that four of these tillers are provided for me in the four pockets.

in playing upon the game board of th present: invention with the insert strips 25), 230. 31 and 32 removed and the circular cush ions C exposed, the spots 20 and 2'! and the concentric circles on the cloth 5 are of great assistance in predetermining the behavior of the balls when struck in any given direction by the players. The line of travel of a ball rebounding from the circular cushions C will lie at an angle to the radius of the circle. taken from the point of contact with the cushion, equal to the angle of incident. between this radius and the approach ing ball. In this manner, the spot- Qtl at the center of the circle and the spots 22 adjacent the CHF-lIlOIIS aid the player in detcrniining the radius to be considered in calculating the proper line of travel of the rebounding ball, and thus the point; where the ball should strike the cushion. If a ball is struck in such a manner as to travel along a. line tangent; to one of the concentric circles 21, the ball being struck with such force as to rebound several times. the line of travel of each successive rebound will lie tangent to the same circle and the complete path of the ball will trace a polygon having the midpoint of each of its sides tangent to the given circle. The polygonal paths of the balls. tangent to each circle. may be marked on the cloth if desired. such marking forming a pleasing ornamental design on the cloth. The marker spots 22 are located at a distance from the edge of the cushions substantially equal to the radius of the ball in order that these spots may indicate the points at which the center of the ball changes its direction of travel in rebounding, The player is thus enabled to predcterniinc the direction in which he must propel the ball to have it rebound in a given direction much more accurately than would be the case it the marker spots were located on the edges of the strips back of the cushions C. if de ired. a large circle may be marked on the cloth extending through the marker spots and such a circle has been shown at 10. It will be readily apparent that the central spot 20, the marker spots 22 and the concentric circles 1 and 40 are of great assist ance to the player in predetermining his shots in many ways in addition to the speciiic examples pointed out above.

The game board of the present invention presents many advantageous features. As described above,v the board may be folded to a very compact size when not in use and the halls and cues may be packed within the folded board, and in this manner the loss or misplacemcnt of these parts is avoided. The counters for scoring the points made by the players are integral with the board, and so are conveniently disposed for use by the players. The arrmlgemcnt of the insert. strips permits the cushions to be quickly changed from the curved or circular type to the straight or rectangula' type and these insert strips are so constructed and connect ed to the frame strips that when swung bark they do not interfere with the hand of .l player when it is rested on the curved cushion C to guide the cue.

The strips iorming the frame of the hoard and the inserts are of such a shape that, they may be cut from a single board or plank with a minimum waste of material. A board or piank having the desired thickness and having a width slightly greater than the greatest width of the finished frame strips is cut into equal lengths along lines at 45 to the edges thereof, alternate cuts being made at right angles to each other. Each section so cut is then cut. along an arcuate curve to separate the frame strip and the insert strip. the insert l1'll) being later cut. away at its curved surface. as shown at Zita. Thus it is readily apparent that the game board of the present invention may he very easily and economically constructed with a minimum amount of labor.

Although the game apparatus of the present invention shown in connection with a single specific game board of the collapsible type. it should be understood that the invention. is not limited to the particular embodiment shown. and may vary in many respects within the limits defined by the appended claims. For example, the circular game upparatus of the present invention may be constructed in the form of a permam-nt. noncollapsible table or board. the insert strips "forming straight cushions may be arranged to be completely removable from the board. and many other changes and modifications-1 may be made.

1 claim:

1. i .p1 ')aratus for onin playing games coniprising a plane surface surrounded by walls tronuin'ising strips. the inner edges of said strips being employed in playing the game. said strips having depressions therein, and means mounted within said depressions for recording the scores of the players.

2. A collapsible game board comprising a plurality of strips, hinge means connecting ill) lilo

t I I iilii.

said strips to form a closed polygonal frame, said hinge means permitting the surfaces of, certain of said strips to be folded into engagement with each other, said strips having depressions in the surfaces thereof, and score recording means mounted within said depressions, said depressions completely enclosing said recording means when said strips are folded together.

In a collapsible game board, a frame having a central opening comprising a-plurality of strips, hinges-connecting at least one end of each of said strips toan adjacent strip whereby all of said strips may be folded together about said hinges to lie in stacked relation, anda cloth secured to one surface of said strips and forming a plane surface covering said central opening of said frame.

1. A collapsible game board comprising a plurality of strips, means for hingedly connecting at least some of said strips at their ends, adjacent strips being connected at an angle to each other, whereby said strips form a continuous wall surrounding a central opening, and a flexible cloth secured to one surface of all of said strips and covering said opening.

5. A collapsible game board comprising a plurality of strips connected end to end by hinges, each adjacent pair of strips extending at equal angles to each other, whereby said strips form a frame surrounding a central opening, releasable means for con necting two of said strips, and a flexible cloth secured to one surface of all of said strips and forming a plane surface surrounded by a wall formed by the inner edges of said strips.

6. Apparatus for use in playing games comprising a plane surface surrounded by a continuously curved wall and means insertable within said curved wall for forming straight walls around said surface.

7. Apparatus for use in playing games in which the rebound of an object from a wall employed comprising a plane surface surrounded by a circular wall and means se cured to said circular wall and movable to a position within said wall, said means having straight edges and forming a polygonal wall about said plane surface when moved within said circular wall.

8. Apparatus for use in playing games in which the rebound of an object from a wall is employed comprising a plane surface surrounded by a continuously curved wall having a plurality of pockets therein and a plurality of insert strips hingedly secured to said wall and movable into and out of contact with said said wall, said insert strips having straight edges forming straight walls extending between the adjacent pockets in said curved wall when said strips are in contact with said curved wall.

9. Apparatus for use in playing games in which the reboundofan object from a wall is employed comprising a plane surface surrounded by a circular walljhaving a plurality of equally spaced pockets therein and a plurality of insert 'st-ripshinged to the upper surface of said circular wall and nov'- able into and out of contact with the inner edge of said circular wall, said insert strips having straight inner edges-forming straight walls extending between said pockets when said strips are in contactwith theinner edge of said circular wall.

10. A, collapsible game board comprising a plurality of strips niovably connected end to end, each adjacent pair of strips extending at an angle to each other whereby said strips-form a frame surrounding a central opening, each ofsaid strips having a continuously curved inner edge, whereby the inner edges of said strips form a continuouslycurved wall around said central opening and straight edged inserts secured to at leastso-me of said strips and movable into engagement with the inner curved edges of said strips whereby straight walls may be provided for said central opening.

11. A collapsible game board comprising a plurality of strips inovably connected end to end, each adjacent pair of strips extending at an angle to each other whereby said strips form a frame surrounding a central opening, each of said strips having a continuously curved inner edge, whereby the inner edges of said strips form a continuously curved wall around said central opening, a

flexible sheet secured to one surface of all of said strips and forming a plane surface covering said central opening, and straight edged inserts secured to at least some ofsaid strips and movable into engagement with the inner curved edges of said strips wherebysstraight walls may be provided for said central opening.

12. A collapsible game board con'iprising a plurality of strips andmeans connecting said strips end to end at an angle to each other to form a closed 'iolygonal frame, said connecting means being flexible to permit said strips to be folded together, and said strips having notches at the inner corners at the meeting edges thereof, which notches cooperate to form pockets at spaced points along the inner edges of said frame.

13. A collapsible game board comprisinga plurality of strips, hinge means connecting said strips end to end at an angle to each 1 other to form a closed polygonal frame, said hinge means pern'iitting said strips to be folded into stacked relation, and a flexible cloth secured to one face of said strips and covering the central opening of said frame, said strips having notches at the inner corners of the meeting edges thereof, which notches cooperate to form pockets at spaced vlltl points along the inner edges of said frame.

14. A collapsible game board comprising a plurality of strips, and hinge means connecting said strips to form a closed polygonal frame, said hinge means permitting the surfaces of certain of said strips to be folded into engagement with each other, said strips having depressions in the surfaces thereof which depressions cooperate when said strips are folded together to form compartments for retaining articles used in playing games on the board.

15. Apparatus for use in playing games in which the rebound of circular objects from a Wall is employed comprising a plane surface surrounded by a wall. and a plu ality of marks on said surface adjacent said wall. said marks being equally spaced around said wall and being spaced a distance from said wall, substantially equal to the radius of said objects used in playing; games on said apparatus whereby said marks indicate substantially the point at which said objects change their direction of travel in rebounding from the wall.

16. Apparatus for use in playing games in which the rebound of a rolling ball from a Wall is employed comprising a plane surface surrounded by a wall, a ball for use on said surface. and a continuous line on said surface spaced at distance from said wall sul'lstantiaily equal to the radius of said ball.

17. A collapsible game board comprising a plurality of strips, hinge means connecting said strips end to end at an angle to each other to form a closed polygonal frame, said hinge means permitting said strips to be tolded into stacked relation, a flexible cloth secured to one face of said strips and covering the central opening of said fran'le, said cloth being free from said strips adjacent the meeting edges thereof, and releasable means tor tightening said cloth at the meeting ends of said strips.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

TRESHAM D. GREGG. 

